Hello From Ottawa - Skating On The Rideau Canal - Officially The World's Largest Skating Rink

There is no denying it: Ottawa is known is one of theAt different intervals along the way there were a
coldest capitals in the world (only as far asvariety of rest areas, food concessions and special
temperatures are concerned though). But does thatentertainment or information areas. Well represented
mean you stay at home during the winter and mope?of course is a famous Ottawa trademark: the
Absolutely not! Ottawa has turned a potential liabilityBeavertails concession booths which sell freshly made
into a key asset and really shows us how to celebratewarm pastry, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. The
winter.perfect snack and energy source on a cold winter's
First there is Winterlude, Ottawa's winter festival, whichday.
is being held this year from February 3 to 19, 2006.At the Via Rail Concord Station Rest Area an exhibit
Winterlude is apparently attended by more thanshed light on Ottawa's railroad history. Apparently
650,000 winter revellers and encompasses a myriadmany years ago, trains would arrive in downtown
of events: concerts, special events, culinaryOttawa right next to the Rideau Canal. At Fifth
demonstrations, restaurant festivals and the list goesAvenue, young sports fans were enjoying the
on. Skating on the Rideau Skateway, at almost 8 kmCanadian Tire JUMPStart Activity Centre where they
the world's largest icerink., was our main reason forwere jumping through the air on a trampoline system
coming to Ottawa. Indeed we had travelled to Ottawaand putting their hockey skills to the test.
about 3 years ago and due to warm weatherAt Pig Island a special area with teepees was set up
Winterlude was a total washout for us that year (Ito get a taste of Aboriginal traditions, culture and
guess the appropriate term for that event would becuisine. In addition the area featured a loggers' exhibit, a
"Waterlude").snowshoe-making workshop and aboriginal songs and
But our earlier experience didn't deter us, so this yeardrumming.
Theresa and I decided to come back and pray forOnce arrived at Dow's Lake I went on to explore the
better weather so we would indeed be able to check26th Annual Bed Race, a fundraising event which
out this phenomenal skating and entertainment venueproved to be an absolutely hilarious experience, for a
for ourselves.good cause no less. The Bed Race is organized by
Incidentally, the Rideau Canal Skateway has beenthe Ottawa Kiwanis Club and the proceeds, close to
recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records as$50,000 will go towards the Children's Read-A-Thon.
the world's largest naturally frozen ice rink. TheA young hockey star tests his skills at the Canadian
skateway is 7.8 kilometers long and takes you fromTire JumpStart Activity Centre
the Rideau Bridge all the way to Dow's Lake.But I had more to cover, so I started skating back
We got going early just around 10 am on an absolutelytowards the downtown and by this time the skateway
perfect winter day, but even at that time, thehad filled up quite a bit. It seemed like young and old,
skateway was packed, and the walkthrough over thethe whole family was out. Parents were pulling their
frozen ice from Confederation Park to the skatewaychildren on little sleds, or even pushing them in all-terrain
entrance on the other side of the river was chock fullbaby carriages. Everybody was having a ton of fun.
with people in a long lineup.On the way back one person struck my attention: a
We laced up our skates and put our boots in ouryoung lady on red skates with red gloves and a red
backbacks which would give us the flexibility to get offscarf was skating down the canal, juggling, apparently
the ice at any time and continue our explorations onjust having a ball of a time. I approached her to find out
foot. Or if we got too tired, we could even hop on thea bit about her. She introduced herself as Sylvie, and
"Sno-Bus" which connects Dow's Lake withshared with me that she is part of a juggling family and
Confederation Park during the entire Winterludethat juggling is in her blood. She said that juggling is her
Festival for the low fee of $2.50 (more information onlife, and although she doesn't drive the fanciest car, she
the OC Transpo site) .is happy because she gets to do what she loves.
But, apparently we didn't need a Sno-Bus, we skatedAfter all this skating I got really hungry, so I took off my
our way down on this wonderful natural ice surface allskates and simply headed up to the Rideau Centre,
the way to the lake and didn't even need to rest. Onone of Ottawa's biggest shopping centres. It is located
this gorgeous day with crystal blue skies and perfectright next to the Canal and was positively packed on
winter weather and amazingly no winds, skating on thethis day. The Rideau Centre offered a welcome
Rideau was a phenomenal experience. We couldopportunity to warm up and catch a nice lunch in its
indeed not have picked a better day to explore thefood court.
Rideau Canal on skates.